Oh Snap, We Love Ponies!

Welcome Snappy!

Our participants for our therapy program come in all ages, and for some of our youngest clients, we needed another pony. Our newest and smallest member of the herd is Land’s End Snapdragon, or Snappy. We’ve recently accepted this little guy for his calm demeanor and small size, which has made him an exceptional addition to our therapy program and adaptive riding as well. Snappy sure is a cutie and will happily snuggle anyone that comes his way. After an impressive show career, he will now be starting his life and therapy career here at Mane Stream.

Thank you to Bethie, Libby, and Red Oak Farm for donating Snappy to us!

Welcome to the Herd!

Not Your Average Joe (Joe)

Our horses and ponies are no strangers to color and glitter here at Mane Stream, but usually they don't experience that until a field trip or camp. Our newest addition, Not Your Average Joe or "Joe", was Mane Stream ready as he arrived on his first day here covered in glitter and paint. The day he was picked up by Jen and Alex, his kids asked to have 5 more minutes with him to get him decorated for his arrival. We said, "Yes," and watched as a group of kids huddled around him to paint his hooves and to color his mane and tail with chalk. Jen and Alex looked at each other and smiled, knowing that Joe would be a great fit for the program. He was then ready to be on his way to his new life and job.

Since Joe has been at Mane Stream, his calm demeanor and stellar attitude make him a perfect candidate for our therapy program. He happily plays along with all the fun activities that our therapy clients get to participate in. The job doesn't stop there for Joe, though. That pony can really strut his stuff in the ring, and it really shows during Adaptive Riding and camp. His beautiful trot provides a very comfortable gait for our riders. Not to mention that with that beautiful pinto coloring, he's as cute as a button. 

We are so happy to accept Joe into our program and kindly thank The Iglesias Family for the donation.

Volunteer Workdays Save Us $$$!

Mane Stream has always cherished the value of teamwork and collaboration. As Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." This sentiment truly embodies the spirit of our Mane Stream. We rely on the selflessness and dedication of volunteers to fulfill our mission.

This spring we were fortunate to host 3 work groups. The volunteers helped with lots of jobs around the farm including scrubbing stalls and water buckets, weeding flower beds, cleaning tack, sorting shoes, painting our therapy clinic, and a multitude of other tasks! Employees from Teva Pharmaceuticals, Deloitte and students from Ridge High School, brought their enthusiasm and muscles to tackle all of the chores on our TO DO list that keep our barn and facility running smoothly and looking great! Each group of 15 to 20 people and spent 3-4 hours working at the farm. The day finished up with groups enjoying their packed lunches.

At Mane Stream, we are continuously grateful for all the hours of time donated from corporate and student workgroups as well as our weekly program volunteers. Recent statistics show that the estimated national value of a volunteer is $31.80 per hour. When you do the calculations it shows that the work groups saved us approximately $7,000 worth of work this spring alone! This highlights how crucial volunteer services are to keeping operating costs down for nonprofit organizations like Mane Stream. This allows us to put more resources towards providing our diverse programs of equine assisted activities, therapy services and educational initiatives. We can’t THANK YOU enough!!!

If you know of a corporation or group that might be interested in coming by to assist with one day or short-term projects, you can schedule your workday today by reaching out to our volunteer coordinator Emily De Jong via email at volunteer@manestreamnj.org

Donate Your Old Jewelry

Help the Matheny Educational and Medical Center Thrift Shop with Your Jewelry Donation

Are you tired of your jewelry box overflowing with pieces you no longer wear? Well, now is the perfect time to do some decluttering and make a positive impact. The Matheny Educational and Medical Center’s thrift shop is in desperate need of jewelry donations to support their mission.

Chances are, buried beneath all those forgotten accessories, there are pieces you don't wear anymore. Those earrings you bought on a whim, that necklace that has lost its luster, or that bracelet that simply doesn't fit your style anymore – all can find a new purpose by being donated to the Matheny Educational and Medical Center's thrift shop.

And guess what? Mane Stream is here to make your donation process quick and easy! Simply drop off your jewelry donations at our location, and we'll ensure they reach the Matheny Educational and Medical Center's thrift shop, where they will be appreciated and put to good use.

Who is The Matheny Educational and Medical Center? They are a special hospital and school for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities and a comprehensive outpatient center. Their thrift shop plays a vital role in generating funds to support these programs, making your jewelry donation even more valuable.

Remembering Dave McShane

We are saddened by the news of the passing of Trustee Emeritus Dave McShane. “Dave's presence at board meetings was always enjoyable. He was incredibly intelligent and had a kind heart to match.” Cynthia Barkman, current Board member shared.

After serving for 7 years, Dave stepped back from the board, but remained a steadfast supporter of Mane Stream’s programs and our Equus gala. Board Member, Kathryn Coyne, who knew Dave from their time in Bay Head, remembers him as a regular at the Bluffs who always brought a smile to her face. This speaks to the kind and friendly nature Dave possessed, leaving a lasting impact on those around him.

Karen Mitka-Kaufhold, another current board member, reflects on her fond memories of Dave. She describes him as a sweet, kind, and wonderful man, with whom she enjoyed conversations before meetings. Karen acknowledges the special place Dave holds in Mane Stream's history and speaks of his generous and compassionate nature. His absence will undoubtedly be deeply felt by all who knew him.

Dave McShane will be greatly missed, and his legacy of kindness and support will continue to inspire us.

Dave McShane’s obituary: https://www.phillyburbs.com/obituaries/psom0510235

Introducing the 2023 Camp Interns

welcome Kathryn, Ella, and Sam

We are thrilled to introduce our three Summer Camp Interns who will be helping out for 10 weeks of fun, learning, and excitement. Two are dedicated Mane Stream Volunteers who have stepped up to the challenge of intern to create and assist with all ability-appropriate activities. The third is new to Mane Stream but is just as excited to be part of the team. All three are ready to share their skills, insights, and horse knowledge with our campers. We are confident that with their passion and extensive experience with horses, they will inspire our campers to become better riders and everyone should go home smiling.

Please join us in giving them a warm welcome!

KATHRYN BLOUNT - intern

Welcome Kathryn Blount! New to Mane Stream, Kathryn is an incredibly friendly and outgoing person wholoves being around people. She is currently a sophomore at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, where she is double majoring in English Literary Studies and Psychology. In addition to her academic pursuits, Kathryn has been participating in competitive equestrian events throughout high school and is currently a member of the Bucknell Equestrian Team. Kathryn is truly a jack-of-all-trades, having worked as a tutor for high school and college students, as well as a babysitter and driver for a family of five. Thanks to her experience with such a large family, Kathryn knows exactly how to keep a crowd on task and on time, making her an invaluable asset to the Mane Stream Camp team. We’re so glad you chose Mane Stream for your college credit internship!!

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ELLA WAGNER - intern

As a college sophomore pursuing a degree in Sociology at Boston University, Ella is a dedicated individual who is eager to gain hands-on experience that will help her grow both personally and professionally. Ella's extensive background working with Mane Stream summer camps and programs, which span over four years, instilled in her a strong appreciation for the organization's purpose and values. Coupled with her solid background in riding, her ability to support kids with disabilities, and her unique experience of having a special needs sibling, Ella sought a challenging internship that would allow her to give back to others while pushing herself. Ella’s volunteer experience at both a Horseback Riding Camp and an Art Camp demonstrates her understanding of the daily flow of camp life, and she is eager to apply her knowledge and experience to a new challenge. (Volunteer Spotlight from 2019)

I will be a sophomore at Boston University this fall where I am majoring in Sociology. After graduating I want to become a sex educator and further my education by pursuing a masters and possibly a PhD.

I have a long history at Mane Stream as my older brother used to ride here, so I grew up picking him up from lessons. As soon as I was old enough I started volunteering, assisting in both riding lessons and summer camp. I have been riding since elementary school and miss it while I am at college so I am very excited to be back around horses again! 

While interning here does not relate to what I am majoring in, it is still something I am very passionate about. Mane Stream is an extremely special place and I am so happy that I get to be part of the community!

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SAMANTHA YAGODA - intern

Meet Sam Yagoda, a rising senior at Morristown Beard School with two years of volunteer experience at Mane Stream under her belt. Sam is passionate about making horseback riding accessible to as many people as possible, which is what drove her to apply for the camp internship position. Sam has been riding horses for 10 years. When she's not helping out at the stable, Sam spends her free time with her two beloved pets - a horse named Josh and a dog named Yogi. With her dedication and experience, Sam is sure to make a positive impact on the lives of riders this summer.

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WHO IS MANAGING THE INTERNS?

Anna Squindo: Camp Activities Specialist (Paid Staff)

Anna Squindo is an indispensable part of the Mane Stream community, having served for nearly four years as an active volunteer. Over the past 250 hours, Anna has been a key player in assisting riding lessons, therapy sessions, and summer camp. However, Anna has recently taken on a new role this summer as the Camp Activity Specialist, where she will supervise the team of interns tasked with providing ability-appropriate crafts and games for the campers during the 10-week program. This position is perfectly suited for an individual with a love for both organization and creativity. During the rest of the year, Anna is pursuing a Psychology major with a triple minor in Dance, History, and Holocaust Studies at Drew University in Madison, NJ. Her passion for animals is evident through her many pets at home, making her a natural fit for Mane Stream.

Does your employer know you volunteer?

Volunteer Grant Companies

Some companies provide generous grants to nonprofits when employees volunteer!

As a nonprofit, Mane Stream relies on the generosity of our community to make our programs happen. As a volunteer you already give the gifts of time and talent every day you come to the barn to help our participants. You also might be able to help us get treasure from your employer!

Many companies give donations to nonprofits where their employees volunteer. Find out if your company has a program like this by contacting your HR department; often the process is as easy as filling out an online form. Companies who do this include Verizon, ADP, many financial companies, and many other companies. 

When apprehension turns into big smiles.

Field Trips to the farm are where it’s at in 2023!

A morning at Mane Stream can do wonders for your soul. When students get off the bus, it’s all about learning, and connecting with the horses. So far, 10 school groups with 160 students, have visited the farm this spring alone, with more scheduled for the fall. For many of the students from the New Jersey Regional Day School in Newark, a trip to the country was something totally new with many never having been around a barn or touched a horse.

Our specially trained riding instructors always ensure activities are tailored to each group's ability level and age. And the team of Mane Stream volunteers who assist are an additional layer of safety in our relaxed environment. With all this in place, we still find it impressive to see apprehension turn to smiles. Whether this happens a few minutes after meeting the horses or after a trip or two, it is obvious that our horses help break down those barriers.

Mane Stream’s school field trips vary in group size, age, and ability but everyone ends up enjoying the activities that may include: making treats or feeding, painting a horse, grooming and tacking, leading a horse through an obstacle course, or a quick riding experience. Some groups spend more time connecting with the horses or exploring the whole farm during a scavenger hunt.

But in the end, Mane Stream is excited to share the farm with so many new faces!

Thank you for visiting!

Far Brook School (4th Grade)
Middlesex County School (2 Groups)
NJ Regional Day School of Newark (8 Trips)

Interested in a Field Trip? Share the news with your friends as Fall dates will soon be booked solid.

Welcome NINE New Volunteers!

Most are now ready to jump into our morning and afternoon programming. Those who want a little more time to learn the ropes will come back for a second training session.

Welcome: Charlie Auerbach, Jane Dominik, Jarrett Hansen, Katie Heinemann, Susan Kinney, Holly McDonald, Joseph O'Leary, Cathy Rohrbach, and Laura Sharon

The next training session is on June 14th (right before summer camp starts). Save your space to ensure you are ready to help with what will probably be a FULLY BOOKED summer schedule. contact: volunteer@manestreamnj.org

Who is that 'dark stranger'?

Welcome Dawn (a.k.a Don*)

We excitedly announce the newest member of the herd, Don* standing at a magnificent 17 plus hands. This gorgeous, black Irish Draught with a bright white star also has a white sock above his left front hoof that closely resembles the cuff of a sleeve peeking out from a tuxedo jacket. This incredibly handsome horse is giving Judge a run for his money in the looks department and will no doubt confuse a few volunteers as to who is who.

During Don’s month-long trial, all eyes were on this gentle giant. Strong enough to carry our larger and more experienced riders, but also calm enough for our inexperienced riders, Don knows his job. That’s not to say he isn’t a big puppy dog that is always on the lookout for some love from the volunteers and staff.

Thank you Melissa Thomas for entrusting Don to Mane Stream! He’s going to be a camper favorite for sure!!

*The Celtic meaning of the name Donald/Don is Dark Stranger.